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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattadai Thottil

From Paaladai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paaladai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattadai thottil katta vendumA silk cloth cradle must be tied
En kannukuFor my darling child
Paal vanna sangu kolla vendumA milk-white feeding conch must be bought
Pattadai thottil katta vendumA silk cloth cradle must be tied
En kannukuFor my darling child
Paal vanna sangu kolla vendumA milk-white feeding conch must be bought
Female
Chittendru alli kolla vendumI must scoop him up swiftly like a tiny bird
En kannukkuFor my darling child
Singaara pottu veikka vendumA beautiful decorative bindi must be placed
Chittendru alli kolla vendumI must scoop him up swiftly like a tiny bird
En kannukkuFor my darling child
Singaara pottu veikka vendumA beautiful decorative bindi must be placed
Female
Pattadai thottil katta vendumA silk cloth cradle must be tied
En kannukuFor my darling child
Paal vanna sangu kolla vendumA milk-white feeding conch must be bought
Female
Kannukku melae maiyittu paarthuLooking at him after applying kohl above his eyes
Kannathai killa vendumI want to pinch his chubby cheeks
Kannukku melae maiyittu paarthuLooking at him after applying kohl above his eyes
Kannathai killa vendumI want to pinch his chubby cheeks
Munnoru nooru pinnoru nooruA hundred kisses before, a hundred kisses after
Muthangal sindha vendumMust be showered abundantly upon him
Munnoru nooru pinnoru nooruA hundred kisses before, a hundred kisses after
Muthangal sindha vendumMust be showered abundantly upon him
Female
Maarbinil eduthu paalunna koduthuHolding him to my chest and feeding him milk
Mayakkam kollum bothuWhen feeling overwhelmed with maternal bliss
Maarbinil eduthu paalunna koduthuHolding him to my chest and feeding him milk
Mayakkam kollum bothuWhen feeling overwhelmed with maternal bliss
Avar vara paarthu aadaiyai maraithuSeeing him approach, modestly adjusting my dress
Appappa …solla vendumExclaiming with bashful surprise
Avar vara paarthu aadaiyai maraithuSeeing him approach, modestly adjusting my dress
Appappa …solla vendumExclaiming with bashful surprise
Female
Annaiyai thandhai anaikkindra kolamThe beautiful sight of the father embracing the mother
Kannanum kaana vendumEven our little Krishna should witness
Annaiyai thandhai anaikkindra kolamThe beautiful sight of the father embracing the mother
Kannanum kaana vendumEven our little Krishna should witness
Ennaiyum maranthu yen indha virundhuLosing myself, why this feast of love
Endravan solla vendumHe should ask in intimate wonder
Ennaiyum maranthu yen indha virundhuLosing myself, why this feast of love
Endravan solla vendumHe should ask in intimate wonder
Endravan solla vendumHe should ask in intimate wonder
Female
Pattadai thottil katta vendumA silk cloth cradle must be tied
En kannukuFor my darling child
Paal vanna sangu kolla vendumA milk-white feeding conch must be bought
Female
Chittendru alli kolla vendumI must scoop him up swiftly like a tiny bird
En kannukkuFor my darling child
Singaara pottu veikka vendumA beautiful decorative bindi must be placed
Female
Pattadai thottil katta vendumA silk cloth cradle must be tied
En kannukuFor my darling child
Paal vanna sangu kolla vendumA milk-white feeding conch must be bought

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pattadai Thottil from the film Paaladai (1967) is a celebrated Tamil classic that delicately weaves maternal tenderness with intimate conjugal affection. Penning the lyrics, Kannadasan captures the deep anticipation of a mother lovingly preparing for her infant. She visualizes tying a luxurious silk cradle, feeding him with a traditional milk-white conch (paaladai/sangu), applying kohl to his eyes, and showering hundreds of affectionate kisses. The song transitions seamlessly into a sweet romantic moment as she imagines her husband walking in while she nurses the baby. The modesty, gentle bashfulness, and shared familial warmth form a complete picture of domestic happiness, brilliantly set to music by K. V. Mahadevan and sung with exquisite tenderness by P. Susheela.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pattadai thottil / Chittendru alli

Matching of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic balance (e.g., Pa-tta-dai / Chi-tta-ndru).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kannukku melae maiyittu paarthu / Kannathai killa vendum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds within the same line or in consecutive lines (e.g., 'K' sound in Kannukku / Kannathai).

Sensory Imagery (Visual & Tactile)

Paal vanna sangu kolla vendum

Rich traditional Tamil imagery evoking texture and color, such as 'Pattadai' (silk cloth), 'Paal vanna sangu' (milk-white conch), and 'Mai' (kohl).

Metaphor / Cultural Symbolism

Annaiyai thandhai anaikkindra kolam / Kannanum kaana vendum

Addressing the infant as 'Kannan' (Lord Krishna) and 'Kannu' (literally 'eye', meaning the apple of one's eye).

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie title 'Paaladai' refers to a traditional metal or shell spout/conch used in South India to feed milk to infants. The song portrays 'Vatsalya Rasa' (maternal emotion) skillfully blended with 'Sringara Rasa' (romantic intimacy), a trademark thematic strength of lyricist Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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